Abstract: The first population ecology study of the endangered Magnolia sargentiana Rehder & Wilson (Magnoliaceae) is reported in the paper. It is a protected species in China but little is known about its present status in the field. In 2007 and 2008 we surveyed the population and conservation status of M. sargentiana in the Provincial Mamize Nature Reserve and the National Meigu Dafengding Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, southwestern China. Natural regeneration is poor because of unfavorable environmental conditions and anthropogenic disturbances. Flower buds and bark of M. sargentiana are used in traditional Chinese medicine and their collection by local people from 1983 to 1994 has led to dramatic population declines. The collection of flower buds and bark is now banned, but hewing branches for firewood and grazing continues to have a negative impact on the recovery of M. sargentiana populations. To protect the species we require a ban on hewing branches, closure of primary forest to reduce humans and ungulates, better education of local people, and increased awareness of wildlife conservation.

Key words: Magnolia sargentiana, medicinal plant, plant conservation, vulnerable species.